Assessment of the flocculating potentials of Alcaligenes faecalis Isolated from the Estuary of Sodwana Bay

Abstract

Alcaligenes faecalis was previously isolated from Sodwana Bay, South Africa and was shown to be a bioflocculant producing microorganism. The bioflocculant production potential was further assessed through the optimization of the standardized culture media. The production of biofloculant as well as the flocculation was evaluated using different variables such as the size of inoculum, sources of carbon and nitrogen, time course and pH. Through optimization A. faecalis showed an improvement in the production of its bioflocculant and also flocculating activity for the following factors: flocculating activity of 71% for an inoculum size of 1%. The bioflocculant produced when maltose was used as source of carbon, showed flocculating activity of 91%, urea, as the most efficient nitrogen source, showed a flocculating activity of 97%, the optimum pH was 9. The time courses analysis between 60 and 72 hours showed the peak for flocculation and by implication highest level of bioflocculant production.